Aina Bauzà continues sailing directly towards the Bahamas.

24 de March de 2024
  • It’s been 21 days since Aina Bauzá set sail from Cádiz bound for the Bahamas in her mini 6.50, but she still has some miles ahead and a storm is approaching her route.
  • Aina continues to strive to be the first person to complete this solo journey on a monohull, the first woman to achieve it, and the first sailor to do so in a 6.5-meter vessel.

March 24th – The initial goal was to complete the nearly 4,000 miles separating Cádiz from San Salvador in the Bahamas, solo, unassisted, and in less than 21 days, but the conditions have delayed her arrival. “The weather has prevented taking the shortest route; I’ve had to head far south to stay in the favorable wind zone and cover many more miles than would be optimal,” said Aina Bauzá, who still has 1,300 miles ahead of her

Despite not achieving the absolute record, Aina continues to strive to be the first person to complete this solo journey on a monohull, the first woman to achieve it, and the first sailor to do so in a 6.5-meter vessel. “I enjoy challenges, and although reaching the absolute record was very ambitious, I wanted to try it. However, in the end, navigation doesn’t depend solely on oneself; it largely depends on the weather conditions, and these haven’t been the best,” she adds. “Nevertheless, I’m very happy with how the Redó has sailed; we’ve reached speeds of 17 knots and covered over 200 miles in 24 hours on some days.”

The Mallorcan sailor from the Port d’Andratx Sailing Club is narrating her story live and sharing her adventure with thousands of followers. “It’s my first oceanic project, and I’m learning a lot; the Atlantic is surprising me.” Since the beginning, her social media presence has grown exponentially, and she now has a community of over 11,000 people who follow her daily on Instagram, discovering the day-to-day of solo navigation. “The comments and encouragement I receive daily accompany me greatly on this journey; it’s as if I’m not alone.”

The sailing conditions will be tough in the upcoming days.

The next challenge, facing the cold front and the storms coming her way, will once again test her skills as a sailor and her perseverance after so many days at sea.

During the final stretch of the journey, Aina will come face to face with a line of storms with lightning, thunder, or heavy rain approaching from the west. In order to try to avoid this dangerous situation, she will aim to pass a bit further south. Once past this line of storms, the winds will be more from the N-NW, and she will have to tack to approach the Bahamas.

Fatigue is setting in.

The comfort conditions on a mini boat are very tough, and after over 20 days of solo navigation, the sailor admits she is tired. “Fatigue always accompanies you in ocean navigation; it’s many days sleeping in 20 or 30-minute stretches, and fresh food has run out days ago. But being here, sailing alone in the middle of the ocean, makes it all worthwhile.” Still, she doesn’t lose her smile when recounting the problems she encounters along the way.